Defense mechanisms used to protect or defend beliefs

Watching the Reason Rally and conversations of Richard Dawkins, AronRa and other non-believers attempt to think critically with believers reminded me of ‎"defense mechanisms,” or manners in which we behave or think in certain ways to better protect or “defend” ourselves. Defense mechanisms are one way of looking at how people distance themselves from a full awareness of unpleasant thoughts, feelings and behaviors. They include:

"Remember, defense mechanisms are most often learned behaviors, most of which we learned during childhood. That’s a good thing, because it means that, as an adult, you can choose to learn some new behaviors and new defense mechanisms that may be more beneficial to you in your life."

Those discussion were perfect examples of trying to reason with beliefs based on faith. I am amazed how calm the non-believers were able to conduct themselves.

Yes, it does sound Freudian, doesn't it! Watching the Reason Rally debates that took place during speeches was a perfect classroom for defense theory. There was no physical aggression but the words became feisty at times.

One fellow, the son of the pastor of the church that interferes with funerals and things like that, gave a very moving story.